Bhubaneswar/Berhampur, Mar 8: On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the second instalment of Odisha Government’s flagship scheme – Subhadra Yojana – has been transferred to over one crore accounts, Saturday.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has distributed cheques to several women at a special event at the Vivek Vihar ground in Ambapua, Berhampur in Ganjam district.

The distribution of cheques marks the disbursement of the second instalment – Rs 5,000 – to the beneficiaries of Subhadra Yojana.

The amount of Rs 5,000 has reportedly been transferred through DBT – Direct Benefit Transfer. DBT is a government program, aimed at transfer of subsidies and cash benefits directly to the people through their Aadhaar seeded bank accounts.

In addition, Chief Minister Majhi has also inaugurated as many as 51 projects, worth Rs 145 crore, in Ganjam district. CM Majhi also virtually laid foundation stone for 30 projects, worth Rs 492 crore.

What the Chief Minister said?

Extending his wishes to all the women on the International Women’s Day, CM Majhi said: “This is a moment of pride for the ‘Subhadras of Odisha’ (referring to the women of the state).”

He was full of praise for the women saying they are the true architects of nature and society. “They have been given the highest regard in our culture, as evident in the worship of women since ancient times,” stated the Chief Minister of Odisha.

“There isn't a field or endeavour where women haven't excelled. In many areas, women have achieved greater success than their male counterparts. They symbolise patience, focus, hard work, sacrifice, and dignity. From independence to contemporary politics, women have left an indelible mark,” asserted CM Majhi.

Noteworthy Information

Earlier on March 6, the number of Subhadra Yojana beneficiaries surpassed the one crore mark. The fifth phase of the first instalment was credited to nearly 2,34,000 accounts on the same day, which took the total tally of beneficiaries past one crore.

Despite the progress, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who is also in charge of Women and Child Development, Mission Shakti, and Tourism departments, had said that the government will keep accepting applications. Notably, the last date of submitting application for the Subhadra Yojana is March 31.

The Deputy CM, on Sunday, had said that the eligible applicants will receive Rs 15,000, which includes three instalments of Rs 5,000 each, in one go on August 9, on the occasion of Rakhi Purnima.

What is Subhadra Yojana?

Subhadra Yojana was launched on September 17, 2024, after the formation of BJP government in Odisha. The flagship scheme offers a total of Rs 50,000 through 10 equal instalments of Rs 5,000 each across five years – to all the eligible women in the state.

Eligibility criteria says that women born between July 2, 1964 and July 1, 2003, with family income of less than Rs 2.5 lakh per annum can apply apart from the ASHA and anganwadi workers and those who are employed through outsourcing agencies.

The minimum age to have the Subhadra Yojana benefits is set at 21, while the maximum age should be 60. If a woman is in the list of beneficiaries, and she becomes 60 before getting all the instalments, she will be excluded from the list and she will not get the remaining instalments.

Around 25 lakh women received the money in the first phase, while the amount was credited to the bank accounts of 35 lakh beneficiaries in the second phase October 9. The third phase money was disbursed to 20 lakh women November 24 and more than 18 lakh women beneficiaries received Rs 5,000 amount February 8 this year.

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